Apirl 1967.
45 years ago this month.
The nation's airwaves were taken over by a voice that came out of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. The owner of that voice had been singing gospel in churches since she was a child. Her father was a preacher.
In 1967, at the age of 25, she came to be known as the Queen of Soul.
Aretha Franklin didn't just appear on the American pop music scene in 1967.
She arrived.
Her voice commanded attention. Sure there were other black artists who were popular at the time. Motown Records had enjoyed an incredible string of success in 1964, 1965, and 1966 with the Supremes, the Temptations, the Four Tops and others.
But there was nobody like Aretha. Unrestrained joy, heartbreaking hurt, almighty power, and the frankness of knowing all poured forth raw and unleashed with a precision that only comes from complete self confidence.
The girl who sang in her father's church was a woman and America couldn't help but sit up and take notice. In April of that year, Aretha's single "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" steadly climbed the music charts. Even though Cashbox Magazine showed it hitting the nationwide Top 10, there were radio stations that wouldn't play it. Aretha was an R&B soul singer and crossover success wouldn't be hers so easily.
But by the last week of April, another single was released and when it debuted on the chart there was no door that could hold Aretha back from full-on mainstream succcess.
Within 7 weeks, "Respect" was the #1 single in America. Aretha quickly followed up with "Baby I Love You," "A Natural Woman," and "Chain of Fools," a total of five top ten hits by the end of the year.
To be enjoyed in all her glory, the Queen of Soul.